Adjustable work table

ABSTRACT

A work table having a supporting frame and a member defining a surface upon which work may be performed which is mounted upon the frame and adjustable to a variety of work positions. The work member is pivotable relative to the frame and may be fixed in any one of a plurality of angular positions. Additionally, the work member may be linearly moved relative to its pivot point and fixed in any one of a plurality of linear positions. The combined angular and linear adjustability provides a work surface offering widened versatility and adjustability in a table which is particularly suitable in the treatment of disabled children.

United States Patent [15] 3,682,109 Gordon [451 Aug. 8, 1972 ADJUSTABLEWORK TABLE 3,211,113 10/ 1965 Randall ..l08/9 72 Inventor; Rod M N Y3,381,928 5/1968 White ..l08/9 1 cw 3,492,952 2/1970 Yourist ..1os/9[73] Assignee: New York University, New York,

NY. Primary Examiner--Bobby R. Gay Assistant Examiner-Glenn O. Finch[221 Attorney-Hubbell, Cohen & Stiefel [21] Appl. No.: 56,406

[57] ABSTRACT 52 us. Cl ..L....10s/9 A work table having a supportingframe and a member [51] Int. Cl. ..A47t 5/12 efi i g a sur ace p whichwork y be pe o med [58] Field of Search ..108/1-10 which is mounted pthe frame and adjustable to a a a variety of work positions. The workmember is pivota- [5 Ref Cited ble relative to the frame and may befixed in any one v of a plurality of angular positions. Additionally,the UNITED STATES PATENTS' work member may be linearly moved relative toits pivot point and fixed in any one of a plurality of linear ghgmpsonpositions. .The combined angular and linear adjusta- 4/1904 r i /9 xbility provides a work surface offering widened ver- I 645,769 1011927 0satility and adjustability in a table which is particularly 2353o647/1944 V suitable in the treatment of disabled children. 2,741,8684/1956 Saunders 108/8 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUG 1912ATTORNEYS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The presentinvention relates to articles of furniture, and more particularly to anadjustable work table e'spe cially suitable for use in connection withtherapeutic treatment of disabled children.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art In the treatment of disabled children,occupational therapy plays a major. role in connection withrehabilitation efforts aimed at developing a variety of physical skills.The equipment used in the physical therapy of disabled children must bespecially designed to be particularly suitable for use in the treatmentof the child. Quite often, the facility for movement and the performanceof certain physical or occupational efforts, such as drawing, paintingor the like, which is enabled by the design and function of theequipment provides significant benefit. In many cases, it would be quitedifficult or perhaps impossible for a disabled child to perform certaintasks without the benefit of equipment which is conceived and operableto facilitate and encourage the performance of the rehabilitatingfunctions.

Accordingly, it is considered important that there be derived fromfurniture used in a therapy work or play room for disabled childrencertain special beneficial effects which would be difiicult orimpossible to obtain with ordinary furniture. In the context of thepresent invention such benefits particularly relate to provision of anappropriate range of adjustability within the limitations and reach of adisabled child to be treated. It is also of importance that theversatility and adjustability of such equipment be provided withsimplicity of operation and construction so that manufacture andmanipulation thereof may be accomplished within the limits of thetreatment environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention may be describedas an adjustable work table comprising a frame, a member upon which workmay be performed, and means adjustably mounting the work member upon theframe, said mounting means including means for pivoting the work memberrelative to the frame about a pivot point and means for moving said workmember relative to the pivot point. Thus, the work member is adjustableto a plurality of angular positions, by pivoting about the pivot point,as well as being adjustable to a plurality of linear positions by linearmovement thereof relative to the frame in a manner which changes therelative location of its pivot point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the work table of the presentinvention showing the adjustable work member thereof in a horizontalposition;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective taken from the rear of the work tableshowing the operational mechanisms involved;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the work table with arrows to indicate therelative directions of work member adjustability; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to thedrawings in detail, there is shown an adjustable work table comprising awork member 10, in the form of a flat planar table top upon which workcan be performed, mounted upon a frame 12 comprising four legs 12a, 12b,12c and 12d. Each of the legs 12a 12d is mounted upon a caster 14 tofacilitate movement of the work table. The frame 12 comprises a U-shapedupper section including a pair of side walls 16 and 18 and a rear wall20. A support strut 22 extends between the side walls 16 and 18, and aserrated rack 24 is attached to extend between the support strut 22 andthe rear wall 20. The serrated rack 24 is rectangularly shaped andcomprises a pair of oppositely positioned serrated side walls 26 eachhaving formed therein a plurality of serrations 28.

The work member 10, which may be formed of wood or other suitablematerial, has fixedly attached upon the rear side thereof a dovetailplate 30 having perforations 32 therein and extending in length almostto opposite sides of the work member 10. The dovetail plate 30 isslidably engaged within a dovetail mortise 34 defined by a mortise plate36 which is pivotally attached by a hinge 38 to the support strut 22. AU- shaped adjustment bracket 40, having a pair of bent ends 42 which arerotatably embedded in the sides of the mortise plate 36, comprises abase section 44 which is engageable across the serrated rack 24 byinsertion within the serrations 28 to adjust the relative angularposition between the work member 10 and the frame 12.

A plug 46 adaptable to extend through the mortise plate 36 engages thedovetail plate 30 by insertion of the plug into the perforations 32 tofix the relative positioning between the mortise plate 36 and thedovetail plate 30.

In the operation of the invention, the work member 10 is rotatable abouta pivot point defined by the hinge 38 in the directions indicated by thearrows Z and may thereby by adjustably positioned to any one of aplurality of angular work positions by disengagement of the base section44 from a serration 28 and reengagement thereof within a differentserration. It will be apparent that by engagement within a serration 28the bracket 40 maintains the work member 10 fixed at a relative angularposition which is dependent upon the particular serration 28 withinwhich the bracket 40 is engaged. When it is desired to change theangular position of the work member 10 by reengagement of the bracket40, the bracket 40 will be pivoted relative to the mortise plate 36 byvirtue of the connection between the bent ends 42 of bracket 40 and themortise plate 36.

Accordingly, it will be clear that the work member 10 is readilypivotable about a pivot point defined by the hinge 38 and that when sopivoted, the bracket 40 may be engaged and disengaged to maintain thework member 10 in any one of a plurality of angular work v positions. Itwill hinge means be seen that the pivot point defined by the hinge 38 isfixed relative to the frame 12.

With the work member in a given angular position, there may also beeffected movement thereof relative to the pivot point defined by thehinge 38. With the plug 46 engaged within a perforation 32 on thedovetail plate 30, the work member 10 is fixed in a particular positionrelative to the hinge 38. By withdrawal of the plug 46 from aperforation 32, the dovetail plate 30 may be slidably moved within thedovetail mortise 34 to place the work member 10 in any other desiredposition relative to the hinge 38, whereupon the plug 46 is reinsertedinto an appropriate aligned perforation 32 to maintain the work member10in that desired position.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the work member 10 is movable in alinear direction indicated by the arrows Y, as well as in an angulardirection indicated by the arrows Z. Since the work member 10essentially comprises a planar configuration, it will be clear that thelinear motion indicated by the arrows Y may be said to occur along itsplane.

One of the angular positions to which the working member 10 may be movedis the horizontal position, which is depicted in FIG. 1. When moved tothis position the base section 44 of the bracket 40 is engaged upon therearmost serration 28 and there is provided a clip 48 which isperpendicularly shaped to extend over the rear wall 30 of the frame 12thereby to prevent undesired forward sliding movement of the work member10 which might occur as a result of inadvertent disengagement of theplug 46 from within a designated perforation 32. Inadvertent rearwardsliding motion of the work member 10 will be prevented by engagement ofthe base section 44 against the rear wall 20 or against the rear mostserration 28.

In the formation of the serrated rack 24 a base plate 50 extendingacross the bottoms of the serrated side walls 26 may be provided. If so,it will be necessary to also provide an opening 52 to permit the plug 46to extend therethrough when the work member 10 is in the horizontalposition. Of course, the serrated rack 24 may be comprised merely of apair of serrated side walls 26 extending across the frame member asshown without provision of a base plate 50, whereupon there would be noobstruction to the plug 46 when the base member 10 is in the horizontalposition.

The front legs 12a and 12b have on the outer sides thereof a pluralityof orifices 54 upon which may be mounted a tray 56 useful for containingmaterials or utensils required in the performance of a task upon thework member 10. For example, if the work member 10 is to be used as asurface upon which painting or drawing is to be performed, then the tray56 may be utilized to contain paints, brushes and the like. The heightand location of the tray 56, whether upon the left leg 12a or upon theright leg 12b, may be readily altered by engagement and disengagement ofthe tray 56 within an orifice 54. Accordingly, the tray 56 may be easilyadjusted to a position related to the positioning of the work member 10thereby enhancing the facility with which tasks may be performed on theadjustable work table of the present invention.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a work surface with a wide range of adjustability, both as toangulation and as to linear positioning within a particular angularlocation. The work table of the present invention is consideredparticularly useful and effective in connection with the treatment ofdisabled children. Due to the wide range of adjustability, the worksurface provided by the work member 10 may be contractures, to adisabled child at a position most convenient to the child. Children withmotor limitations such as might be caused by paralysis or contractures.as well as youngsters who require prosthetic devices which may lackwrist flexion, all can perform tasks upon a work surface provided by thework member 10 which could be placed at an optimal linear location whilein any appropriate angular position. The tray 56 may be located toaccommodate either a right or left handed child and at the same time itmay be adjustable as to height in cooperation with the positioning ofthe work member 10 thereby to further enhance the applicability of theinvention in the treatment of disabled children. Although the presentinvention has been described in connection with a preferred embodimentthereof, it is to be understood that this-is merely illustrative of theprinciples of the invention and that numerous modifications and otherembodiments may be derived within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable work table comprising:

- a. a frame;

b. a generally planar work member;

c. a male mounting member affixed to a lower surface of the work member;

(1. a' female mounting member pivotally mounted to the frame andincluding an elongate aperture therethrough and adapted to receive themale mounting member, the male mounting member being slidable throughthe female mounting member to thereby selectively vary the linearposition of the work member relative to the pivot point of the femalemounting member about the frame, the pivotal position of the femalemounting member defining the pivotal position of the work member aboutsaid pivot point when the male mounting member is received within theelongate aperture of the female mounting member: and

e. hinge means mounted to the female mounting member and the frame forenabling pivotal movement of the work member about the hinge means whenthe male mounting member is slidably received within the elongateaperture of the female mounting member.

2. The adjustable work table of claim 1, wherein the male mountingmember includes a plurality of spaced, aligned holes therein, andwherein the female mounting member has a hole through a lower surfacethereof into the elongate aperture, the female mounting member holebeing aligned with the male mounting holes when the male mounting memberis slidably received in the elongate aperture of the female mountingmember, the work table further comprising a plug adapted to be insertedthrough the hole in the female mounting member and a selected hole inthe male mounting member to fix the linear position of the work memberrelative to said pivot point.

3. The adjustable work table of claim 2, wherein the frame is generallyU-shaped having a pair of parallel side walls joined at an end of eachby a connecting subadapted to cooperate with the serrated member tostantially perpendicular front wall, the frame further infix the pivotalposition of the female mounting eluding an elongate strut fixed betweenthe side walls member about the hinge means. Substantially Palallel tothe from Wall, the hingemeans 5. The adjustable work table of claim 4,further combeing mounted to the strut and to the female mounting 5prising; member.

a. rece tacle means for holdm items to be used 4. The ad ustable worktable of claim 3, further comwhilepperfonning work on the g member; andprising: v

a. a serrated member disposed between the strut and means ad-lustablymoummg h rceptacle means from wall ofthe frame. and 10 on the frame toenable positioning thereof in a b. bracket means pivotally mounted tothe female desired one of a plurality of vertical locations.

mounting member and having a portion thereof

1. An adjustable work table comprising: a. a frame; b. a generallyplanar work member; c. a male mounting member affixed to a lower surfaceof the work member; d. a female mounting member pivotally mounted to theframe and including an elongate aperture therethrough and adapted toreceive the male mounting member, the male mounting member beingslidable through the female mounting member to thereby selectively varythe linear position of the work member relative to the pivot point ofthe female mounting member about the frame, the pivotal position of thefemale mounting member defining the pivotal position of the work memberabout said pivot point when the male mounting member is received withinthe elongate aperture of the female mounting member: and e. hinge meansmounted to the female mounting member and the frame for enabling pivotalmovement of the work member about the hinge means when the male mountingmember is slidably received within the elongate aperture of the femalemounting member.
 2. The adjustable work table of claim 1, wherein themale mounting member includes a plurality of spaced, aligned holestherein, and wherein the female mounting member has a hole through alower surface thereof into the elongate aperture, the female mountingmember hole being aligned with the male mounting holes when the malemounting member is slidably received in the elongate aperture of thefemale mounting member, the work table further comprising a plug adaptedto be inserted through the hole in the female mounting member and aselected hole in the male mounting member to fix the linear position ofthe work member relative to said pivot point.
 3. The adjustable worktable of claim 2, wherein the frame is generally U-shaped having a pairof parallel side walls joined at an end of each by a connectingsubstantially perpendicular front wall, the frame further including anelongate strut fixed between the side walls substantially parallel tothe front wall, the hingemeans being mounted to the strut and to thefemale mounting member.
 4. The adjustable work table of claim 3, furthercomprising: a. a serrated member disposed between the strut and frontwall of the frame; and b. bracket means pivotally mounted to the femalemounting member and having a portion thereof adapted to cooperate withthe serrated member to fix the pivotal position of the female mountingmember about the hinge means.
 5. The adjustable work table of claim 4,further comprising: a. receptacle means for holding items to be usedwhile performing work on the work member; and b. means adjustablymounting the receptacle means on the frame to enable positioning thereofin a desired one of a plurality of vertical locations.